Peru's president urges public to remain vigilant against COVID-19
Xinhua
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LIMA, Aug. 30 (xinhua) -- Peru's President Martin Vizcarra on Sunday urged the country's 32 million people not to lower their guard in the fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which has overwhelmed the national healthcare system.

According to the head of state, the outbreak has worsened because of lax compliance with social distancing and lockdown measures, including a curfew.

During a working tour of northern Tumbes, a region that borders Ecuador, Vizcarra said that despite the magnitude of the outbreak, people were still thronging nightclubs, holding birthday celebrations and throwing parties, disregarding health regulations and recommendations.

"'Let's not be accomplices' is a tough campaign that clearly and directly tells the irresponsible citizens that COVID-19 does not kill alone but needs accomplices," he stressed.

The Peruvian government extended a state of emergency in force since March 16 for a further 90 days due to a rise in infections in the capital Lima and other parts of the country.

The virus has so far taken more than 28,600 lives. Enditem